The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1887-07-07
Special correspondence Of tile Gold Leqf.
New YORK, July I, 1887.

NE" lOKh, July /, 1907.
Staten Island is in many respects
one of the most beautiful and con-
venient of New Works suburbs. 1t is
close enough to the metropolis to be
easy of access, and yet sufficiently dis
tant to be away from the noise and bus
tie of the city. For the author whose
business relations are centred in New
York, and who desires a quiet nook
where he can work undisturbed and
unmolested, it IS a perfect paradise.
And this fact was doubtless appre-
ciated by Mr.. George William Curtis
when years ago he took up his island
home. 1t is in his Staten Island abode
that Mr.. Curtis performs nearly all his
literary work. The Curtis horne is
situated at the corner of Bard and
Henderson Avenues, in the pretty VII
ldoe of West New Brighton, and is a
spacious, colonial mansion, suggestive
of olden times with its majestic trees SUI
rounding the house. Extensive grounds
are attached to Mr.. Curtis dwelling,
and its buildings are numerous.
Everything about the place is kept in
neat repair, and evidences of care are
seen on every hand. The authors
love of flowers demonstrates itself both
on the outside Of the house and when
the visitor has crossed its Threshold
81 1t requires on y brief stay within to
understand Mr.. Curtis reluctance to
leave it even for his short weekly bust
ness journey to New York, which he
makes every Thursday, except in the
case of stormy weather, when his cor
reSpOndence is sent over to HIM by the
Harpers. The interior of the mansion
is strlkingly suggestive of the inclina-
tions OF its occupant. Even the walls
of the halls are crowded with portraits
of eminent, writers and Mr.. Curtis
friends in art and literature. Taste
and comfort are followed rather than
extravaganza. The richest and vet
the most simple bric-a-brac adorn the
rooms, and books are everywhere met
with. The house is a familiar spot to
Staten Islanders, and the smallest child
can tell the stranger its exact location.
No man is more respected and beloved
among his neighbors than Mr.. Curtis.
His klndheartedncss and AVAILABILITY
are known to all, and the child trips
up to the author as he steps from the
railroad car at the station feeling as
sured of pleasant word, and oft times
is rewarded by meeting of the lips,
for few men are more devoted to chill
drea. One might spend a month
among the residents of West New
Brighton, and yet every hour would !
bring forth some new story of Mr.. Cur
tbs goodness and charity. They Will |
tell you of the numerous churches he
has helped to build by his lectures.
how many church organs owe their
present position to him, and how
many OF the poor of the village can
trace back their present prosperity to
the helping hand extended them bv
the author. And all these acts of
klndnesS, you are told, are done in the
qulereSt possible manner, the recipient
Delng often unaware of his benefactor
VI Mrs. Curtis almost as many stories
are told, and certainly few men have
been blessed with a more loving and
devoted wife. saw her but for A
moment 1t was long enough, however.
10 conNnce me that she is a woman
OF no Ordinary qualities and intelli-
sehoe iaSly beamed from her face.
In dress, She appeared a model of
simplicity AID good taste. She is an :
Invaluable aid to her husband, and \ J
rlend of the family authority {
9r the statement cha Sds over ,